Santee has set aside an additional $50,000 for its fight against the replacement of Las Colinas Detention Facility.

Acting as commissioners of the city's redevelopment agency, the City Council voted this week to spend the money on a growing list of consultants, which so far includes attorneys, a marketing firm and real estate experts.

The city already spent nearly $100,000 on a study released last week that concludes the 45 acres the county is considering for a new women's jail is better suited for offices or homes. County Supervisor Ron Roberts reacted by saying he was not interested in the city's report.

Mayor Randy Voepel said the city is not deterred from its fight, and would need to engage in “a lot more communications with the supervisors.”

“It's an open checkbook,” Voepel said of tapping into city money for the effort. “If I have to go back for another $100,000, $400,000, there is no limit on this struggle.” –M.C.

Ice cream social to aid
historic-building survey

CHULA VISTA: Mayor Cheryl Cox and the City Council will host an ice cream social next month to raise money for a survey of the city's historic buildings.

The Ultimate Open House Ice Cream Social will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 18 in the historic Queen Anne-style home of Chula Vista's founder, Col. William Dickinson, 1433 East 24th St., National City.

Dickinson was a real estate manager for the California Southern Railroad, and in 1911, as a planner for the Santa Fe Railway, he developed the new community of Chula Vista.

Tickets, which are $25, are limited to 200 guests and will not be available at the door.

The event is the official kickoff for the Chula Vista Centennial Celebration, coming up in 2011.

Ex-city engineer
gets a promotion

CHULA VISTA: Former city engineer Scott Tulloch has been named Chula Vista's assistant city manager for development services.

Tulloch was promoted by City Manager David Garcia after holding the job on an interim basis since March. The City Council confirmed his appointment this week.

He is replacing former assistant city manager Dana Smith, who left to take a job in Napa.

Tulloch started work as Chula Vista's engineering director in December. Before that, he was the city of San Diego's wastewater director.

Tulloch was responsible for overseeing Chula Vista's first citywide assessment of public infrastructure. Based on the condition of roads, sidewalks, gutters and storm drains, he estimated it would cost $396 million to bring everything up to standard. –T.M.

Lake Morena water
declared safe for drinking

EAST COUNTY: County officials say the water from a small system at Lake Morena is now safe to drink.

The county lifted a boil-water order yesterday for the Lake Morena Views Mutual Water Co., which serves 118 homes, plus a barber shop and gas station, in the backcountry community near Campo.

The order was issued July 16 after coliform bacteria was found in water samples. The bacteria are not necessarily harmful, but indicate contamination.

No E. coli bacteria were found in the water. –A.K.

Thunderstorms forecast
for backcountry areas

Afternoon and early evening thunderstorms developed over some backcountry areas yesterday, and more are expected today, the National Weather Service said.

Storm bursts dropped rain around Santa Ysabel and Ranchita in North County between about 2 and 4 p.m., said meteorologist Philip Gonsalves. Others developed above Mount Laguna about 4 p.m., dropping about 0.30 of an inch, he said.

Thunderstorms also dropped rain around Jacumba about 6 p.m., he said. –D.E.G

More golfers sought
for benefit tournament

Its tournament will be at the Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club in southern Orange County. Proceeds will go toward programs supporting Marines, sailors and their families at several bases in Southern California.

The charity's services include giving service members gas money so they can reach a doctor's office and buying grocery gift cards for families that have a person serving overseas during the holidays.

Registration for this year's tournament has been low so far, said Dawn Baker, the event's coordinator for the YMCA.

“Last year we had a full field with 144 golfers,” Baker said. “I think we are at 50 right now.”

Registration is $225 per player, and a portion of that is tax-deductible. For more information, call Baker at (760) 385-4921. –R.R.